showcase amsterdam issue 154

Mar 2009

Welcome to the latest issue of Showcase Amsterdam, brought to you by Production Paradise. We present the latest news from leading professionals currently at work in the Dutch visual media industry, with more information available in our dedicated Photo and Film directories.

Be sure to check out our featured events:

Imagine - Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival, 15th - 26th April. The AFFF celebrates its 25th edition with films ranging from the mainstream to art-house across all genres, including sci-fi, anime, fantasy and horror.

Holland Festival, 4th - 28th June. The crème-de-la-crème from the fields of opera, dance, music and theatrical performance.

Foam is currently showing the 'Avedon Photographs 1946-2004' touring exhibition.

Witman Kleipool has been operating as a photographers' agent since 1997 and recently opened a new film department, WK Comma. The company also represents set designer Gloudy and runs two rental studios in which it provides full production services. Recent news includes:

Gloudy designed and made a huge set for a film and photo shoot by Ruud Baan with artist Bang Bangs.

Director and photographer, Ruud Baan, shot a complete series of 2009/2010 programme posters for The National Ballet.

Photographer Maarten Kools shot portraits for re.Public.

Director and photographer, Marc de Groot, recently travelled to Curacao to shoot Yfke Sturm on a naval ship. Marc created amazing photos of Yfke while the Dutch navy was in hot pursuit of drug runners.

David de Jong has been in charge of a successful freelance operation for almost 13 years, encompassing commercial, editorial and corporate assignments around Europe. Clients include Citroën, Volvo, VW AG, Audi, Seat, Mitsubishi, BMW, Porsche, Daihatsu, Spyker Cars, Jaguar, Pelican Hearst, Big Black Book, ReadershouseBrand Media, Carros, George Paint it Blue, and many of the major advertising agencies.

Dutch talents, from long standing favourite Yfke Sturm to Ymre Stiekema, have all passed in front of his lens. In many instances, the eye-catching picture that launched their careers will have come from Hans' camera.

Hans is currently expanding his playground. His eye for high quality glamour and style can be found in everything he does. His unique approach, his raw and edgier work, serves to ensure artistic beauty.

Barcelona-based Dutch photographer, Jaap van den Beukel, has worked freelance for advertising and design agencies in the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium, shooting annual reports and b2b products. He currently shoots people, portraiture and fashion assignments for clients and personal projects.

Jaap's subjects are photographed in settings where both background and model are equally important, and his way of lighting a set lends a surrealistic atmosphere to many of his images. Over the past few months, Jaap completed campaigns for clients RET, Forbo and AGFA, and throughout 2008 put a lot of effort into his personal project entitled 'Gross'.

Over this past year, Produktie! Jan Ruinard has worked for both national and international clients including Total, Mitsubishi, Achmea and Eneco. As always, the company's aim is to create the conditions that allow photographers to fully concentrate on the creative aspects of a shoot.

Working in close partnership with photographers, Produktie! Jan Ruinard takes care of all the organisational aspects of a photo production.

Following a shoot in Shanghai (and after a few beers!), Art Director Dave Caroll came up with a new slogan for the company: "Your problem is our challenge."

Since the founding of Magic Amsterdam in 2000 and Magico Barcelona in 2006, Magic has worked in partnership with some of the world's most renowned art directors and photographers.

Magic has assembled a group of creative digital retouchers, CGI artists and illustrators who continuously achieve work of the highest standard. Some of their most eye-catching and award winning creative projects can be found on the company's website.

The team's specific qualities and specialist knowledge can be adapted to the needs of every individual job. Magic always looks for the best route to optimise creative output without loosing sight of timing and cost control.

Holland Production Services offers dedicated production services that focus entirely on client needs. The company understands how difficult it can be to shoot abroad and so provides professional knowledge, dedicated suppliers and trusted friends to make clients feel at home.

Recent productions include a BMW commercial for Spanish Alamo Films, a commercial for Korean investment company Woori for Keystone Films, a series of TV idents for Kemistry out of the UK, a Honda photo shoot for Twin Planet based in Tokyo and LA, and a Toyota commercial for Japan, shot in Brussels with Ewan McGregor for PMC Global.

The company's credo is "Service, Service and more Service! Let's keep it simple and make it fun!" Check the website for more information.

Studio De Keuken and Dangerous Kitchen Music work on music composition, sound design and voice casting, providing a true integration of all things audible.

With seven sound studios, three multi-talented composers and five sound designers, the company creates all kinds of soundtracks for brands and agencies worldwide.

In 2008, the company won the prestigious ADCN Lamp for 'Excellence in Sound & Music in The Netherlands'. A silver Clio, four gold awards at the New York Festivals in 2007, and gold at ProMax/BDA 2008 (twice), for North America and the world, are amongst its other titles.

Based in Amsterdam, Guus Wensveen works for an international client base. Recent productions have included Nikon, BMW, Ameriprise USA, Statoil, Quinny, SanlamSA, Yamaha, Nokia, FIFA '09 and Murphy's beer.

Guus offers a comprehensive and personal service encompassing research, location scouting and production for photographers and ad agencies around the world. He has worked throughout Europe, Africa, Australia and New Zealand, Asia (including China), North and South America and Canada.

711rent recently opened the doors to its new Amsterdam store. Conveniently located in the city centre, 711 provides the same high quality service customers have come to expect from its Hamburg, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt stores.

Thea Meulenberg Casting's many years of experience are a sign of how well-regarded the company is among European businesses. The company looks for the right character for the right part, working with all the main Dutch agencies to provide talent for top fashion and photography campaigns. Recent commercials cast by the company include: